Shopping in Iceland

Iceland is a great place for shopping. There are two malls in the greater Reykjavik are, there are also many stores downtown and all over Iceland. You can find designer clothing, Icelandic jewellery, souvenirs, paintings, pictures, equipment and just about everything you can think off.

Kringlan - Mall in Reykjavik

Kringlan is the largest shopping mall in Reykjavík with over 170 shops, restaurants and services. Built in 1987, it contains everything from a library, theatre and cinema to a liquor store, candy stores and a pub. It has grown over the years, and is thought by many to be the biggest threat for the Reykjavík city centre stores.

The name is derived from the Kringla marsh or Kringlumýri. A literal translation into English could either be 'circle' or 'pretzel', though the mall is neither circular nor has it anything to do with pretzels.

Smaralind - Mall in Koparvogur - The Greater Reykjavik Area

Smáralind is located in the middle of the Greater Reykjavík Area, Iceland. It is one of the biggest shopping malls in Iceland, with over seventy shops, restaurants and services. It contains everything from a cinema and pharmacy to a liquor store, candy stores and restaurants. Smáralind was opened on October 10, 2001 at 10:10 GMT. Smáralind competes with another shopping mall, Kringlan and Reykjavík's old city centre. Kringlan, Smáralind and Downtown Reykjavík are just few kilometers apart so the battle for customers is hard.

Immediately after opening its resemblance to a giant phallus when viewed from the air created some notoriety.

Laugavegur shopping street downtown Reykjavik

Laugavegur is the primary commercial artery of downtown Reykjavík, Iceland and one of the oldest shopping streets. The name means "wash road", as it used to lead to the hot springs in Laugardalur where in olden times the women of Reykjavík took their laundry for washing.

It was constructed in 1885 as a result of town council's decision. It has experienced economic setbacks in recent years mostly because of the increase in popularity of shopping malls, most notably Kringlan and the recent Smáralind. It still maintains the charm of a historical shopping street and is still home to the more exclusive stores in Iceland.

It is also home to many bars, nightclubs and restaurants. On Friday and Saturday nights the street is often filled with people all night long. The Icelandic Phallological Museum is also located on this street. You can find stores with Icelandic clothing design, Icelandic jewellery design and also interesting souvenir stores.